. >>> now to the epic dysfunction playing out in washington. a sort of theater of the absurd that might actually be amusing if the stakes weren't so high for the rest of us. >> two days left until we all go over the fiscal cliff which would mean everyone's taxes will go up and sharp spending cuts will go effect that could drive our economy back into recession. to abc news white house correspondent jonathan karl filling in today for george stephanopoulos as host of abc's "this week." >> hey, jon, good morning. i know today and tomorrow obviously hugely important. can you sort of walk us through the potential order of operations? what could we see play out today and tomorrow? >> well, it is right down to the wire, dan. what's happening right now is harry reid and mitch mcconnell, the top democrat and republican in the senate are still negotiating their staffs at this hour. they are supposed to be working until about 3:00 this afternoon when the plan would be presented to both caucuses. as we understand what they are talking about is the bare mini